More than 42,000 runners will flock to Manchester this spring for one of Europe's most popular marathons.
More than 42,000 runners have signed up for this year's Manchester Marathon, organisers have said.
The event, which takes place on 19 April, sold out months ago and is the second largest marathon in the UK, with only London having more entrants.
In 2025, there were about 36,000 runners pounding the streets of Manchester, roared on by tens of thousands of spectators lining the course.
Here's everything you need to know about this year's event.
Route and timings
The start area for all participants will be the E2 Car Park at Manchester United's Old Trafford Stadium.
There will be no spectators allowed in the start area.
Beginning on Bridgewater Way and ending on Oxford Road, the 26.2 mile (42.2km) route will take participants on a loop of South Manchester, through Sale and down to Altrincham, before looping back towards Manchester city centre.
This finish line will again be on Oxford Road.
Organisers have yet to confirm the precise timings for this year's marathon, but in 2025 the elite athletes started at 09:00 BST. The final waves of runners crossed the start line about two hours later.
Which roads will be closed?
- Event organisers have said participants should plan their journeys in advance and expect potential queues and traffic
- Transport for Greater Manchester's website and social media pages will provide the latest updates during the event weekend
- While closures have not yet been confirmed, it is likely that Chester Road and Bridgewater Way will shut in the early hours of marathon day
- Parts of Oxford Road - from Hulme Street to Grafton Street - will also likely close during the day, as will several surrounding roads in Manchester city centre
What are my public transport options?
It will be possible to travel by tram to the event and Metrolink services will begin operating from 07:00 BST.
Exact timings for the first tram on each line will be announced closer to the date.
Recommended tram stations:
- Old Trafford or Trafford Bar are the recommended tram stops for runners planning to arrive before 09:30 BST. Both are a 10-minute walk from the starting area
- After 09:30, participants are advised to travel to Wharfside or Exchange Quay for easier access to the start line
For more information, see the walking map of the stations on the event's official website.
For those travelling to Manchester by rail:
- Trams towards the start line will run from Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria
- Participants arriving into Oxford Road train station can access tram services via a short walk to St Peter's Square tram stop
What are the parking options?
Official car parking is not available due to a "significant number of road closures", said event organisers, who have "strongly dissuaded" competitors from driving on marathon day.
A limited number of parking spaces will be available to pre-book atManchester United FC for £20. Any remaining spaces will cost £25 on the day.
For spectators, there are a number of car parks situated near the finish line on Oxford Road.
Park and Ride locations are also available - and parking is free with a Metrolink ticket.
Locations include:
- East Didsbury – 296 spaces.
- Brooklands – 84 spaces.
- Navigation Road – 71 spaces.
- Sale Water Park – 301 spaces.
- Ladywell – 454 spaces. Recommended, trams stop at Exchange Sq.
- Parkway – 360 spaces. Recommended, trams stop at Wharfside
More information can be found on the Transport for Greater Manchester park and ride website.
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Related internet links
- Manchester Marathon 2026: Route Map
- Manchester Marathon 2026
- TfGM
- Manchester United parking
- Manchester Marathon 2026: Walking Map
- TfGM: Park and Ride
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Category: General Sports
